TDEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Announces $22 Million in Parks and Recreation Grants

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of Outdoor Recreation today announced $22,059,191 in grants from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) program, the Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program (TRIP), and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for 31 communities across the state.

The LPRF program provides state funding to match local government investments for projects and the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways, and recreational facilities. All grant projects must be on publicly owned land.

The TRIP is a state funded program that provides grant money to cities and counties who lack professional park and recreational directors and do not provide a comprehensive recreation delivery system in their community to assist with the establishment of the first Parks and Recreation Department.

The RTP program provides federal funding to match local government investments for land acquisition for trails, non-routine trail maintenance, trail construction, trail rehabilitation, and trail head support facilities.

“Local parks are an important aspect of outdoor recreation, and we are glad these grants will help communities across the state,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner of Conservation for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “This makes parks affordable for local governments, and we look forward to the results of this assistance.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local communities to help enhance enjoyment of the great outdoors,” said Brian Clifford, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. “These projects will directly improve health and strengthen economies, helping Tennessee thrive through parks and outdoor recreation.”

Additional information can be found on the 2025 Office of Outdoor Recreation (ORec) Grant Awards page.